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Google Issues Cease and Desist Letter to Android ROM Modder

Posted 09/25/09 at 02:00:00 PM  by Paul Lilly

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According to Taylor Wimberly of AndroidAndMe.com, uber popular Android hacker who goes by the name of Cyanogen managed to ruffle some feathers over at Google. From the sound of things, the search giant is none too pleased with Cyanogen distributing their closed source Android apps (Market, Talk, Gmail, YouTube, and others) with his third-party CyanogenMod ROM.

Going by the chat log Wimberly posted on his site, Google has issued a cease and desist letter to Cyanogen, who laments that "CyanogenMod is probably going to be dead." It would be a shame if it came to that, as CyanogenMod is probably the most popular third-party Android ROM out there, and is actively being developed, somewhat of a rarity in the Android ROM community whose only compensation is user donations.

But all might not be lost. Cyanogen said he has opened up a dialog with Google.

"My argument is that I only develop for Google-experience devices which are already licensed for these apps," said Cyanogen. "So we'll see what they say. Maybe we can work something out."

So do we. Otherwise, this could be a blow to the entire Android ROM community, not just Cyanogen.

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How To: Hack Your Android G1

COMMENTS:8
TAGS: operating system, Google, mod, modding, open-source, open source, OS, android, g1, cease and desist, rom, cyanogen, cyanogenmod
COMMENTS
avatarAs a user of the Cyanogen

Submitted by neo1piv14 on Fri, 09/25/2009 - 12:55pm

As a user of the Cyanogen mod, I'd say Google needs to lighten up and cut this guy a check. If I couldn't run this guy's firmware, I'd probably switch back to another phone. The original OS that came on this phone was kind of slow to begin with, but feels like running in syrup compared to how speedy this guy's ROM is. I'd be interested to see what wouuld happen if Google had some developers with the talent and fan base that this guy has.

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avatarTook the words out of my

Submitted by marshallladd on Fri, 09/25/2009 - 1:11pm

Took the words out of my mouth.  Cyanogen's ROMs are the best.  His experimental one rightnow, 4.1.11.1, is beyond phenominal.  This would really be a hit to the Android community if he had to stop.  I wouldn't consider an Android phone again because of it.  I may have to cross over to the dark side and get a jailbroken iPhone(shudders).

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avatarHmmm

Submitted by gymbeau2000 on Fri, 09/25/2009 - 12:03pm

Yean it's like Open-Source (tm).  From MS, I would expect this, but it seems lately, the Big G is getting alot more protective.

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avatarBoth this article and the G1

Submitted by SEALBoy on Fri, 09/25/2009 - 10:56am

Both this article and the G1 Hack Guide repeatedly refer to Cyanogen as Cyanongen. Please proofread!

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avatar That's a little upsetting.

Submitted by AntiHero on Fri, 09/25/2009 - 10:20am

 That's a little upsetting. Almost sounds like "Our open source is copyrighted" however they do have a case. But Cyanogen also does, since he is intending it all for the phones it was originally created for. 

I don't like Microsoft, I associate with it.

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avatarYes, it certainly is

Submitted by SEALBoy on Fri, 09/25/2009 - 10:56am

Yes, it certainly is disappointing considering Google touted Android as open-source.

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avatarWell, its not the OS they

Submitted by Tekzel on Fri, 09/25/2009 - 1:37pm

Well, its not the OS they are complaining about, its the closed source addon stuff.  A company has to protect their rights or they lose them.  I understand where they are coming from.  I hope they can work something out with the guy though, apparently he is doing some outstanding work. 

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avatarAgreed, it's not the OS

Submitted by I Jedi on Fri, 09/25/2009 - 7:18pm

Agreed, it's not the OS they're upset about, it's the closed-source addons... However, for this guy to have to stop his development on the Android platform would be a major blow. Google should work something out witih him, rather than shaft a great project happening in the Android community.

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